40 years ago: Kansans watching Oklahoma liquor-by-the-drink decision

In a ruling that reflected a recent similar issue in Kansas, the state of Oklahoma was not permitted to stop the sale of liquor by the drink on Amtrak trains. The ruling had been taken under advisement by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, represented by a three-judge panel in Topeka. The panel heard arguments this week from the U.S. District Court ruling issued the previous January. The judge in that case had prohibited Oklahoma officials from enforcing the state's liquor-by-the-drink ban on Amtrak trains and had ordered a return of liquor and records that had been seized in a raid in July 1972. The case was being watched closely in Kansas, where state attorney general Vern Miller and other officials had boarded an Amtrak train in July 1972, confiscating a "considerable amount" of liquor and arresting three crew members on misdemeanor charges.

"It is time for Lawrence to make some bold moves in planning for a better, progressive and growing city," stated today's Journal-World editorial. Although the city had experienced excellent growth in the 1950s and 60s, the article pointed out that this growth had slowed "quite noticeably" in the past several years. Population figures were leveling off after a more than 40 percent growth in the 1950-1960 period, and enrollment at Kansas University also appeared to be reaching a plateau.